Selective signaling system.



J. MUFELL.

SELBCTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLIoATIoN rILED JUNB18,1909.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Qms

WON @me @u J. MGPELL.

SBLECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM. APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 1a, 1909.

Patented Dec. 31, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. MCPELL.

SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1909.

Patented 11111311912.l

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

'normal bythe release impulse.

JUDSON MCFELL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' SELECTIVE SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dee. 31,1912.

Application filed .Tune 18, 199. Serial No. 502,979.

To all whom it may concern.' Y t Be it known that I, JUnsoN MCFELL, a citizen' of the United States, residing'- at Chi cago,`i n the county of `Cook and. State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selective Signaling Systems, of which the following' is a 'specii tic-ation. 4

My invention relates to improvements in selective signaling systems, andhas for its general object to provide a selective signaling system especially adapted for rai road telephone service and the like.

One of the salientl objects of my invention Ais to provide ,'a. single-line signaling system in which any suitable number of stations may be incorporated in the line, energized by a single battery, wherein any station may call any other.

vide a system .whereby a signal j initiator set to send a signalconsisting of a-plurality of impulse groups, anda release impulse, may actuate a' different -selector'for .each impulse groupv vand restore all vselectors to Among the salient features f my invention is the provision of asystem in which each' station yis provided* with means responsive to line conditions-such as a single line relay ,responsive to simple'make and fbreaksi'giialsinitiated in thel line; and local circuit, devices, comprising a plurality of selectors automatically operable in I'predeterminedivsequence` in response to the line relayfor, predetermined collocation' to ac- ,"tuate the .translating device which eifectsthe call of such station,` and self-restoring to on further operation or the line relay.

A filrther'-"feat1lre of my invention coni templates the fautomatic restoration of the selective devices tov no rinal`position after a i partial v.operation of the selective system,

.the maintenance of the selectors in step, and the .guarding of the local circuit 'devicesagainst undue current-loss under abnormal conditions which might tend unduly to maintain the local circuit closed.

' detail thereof.

-on line 3 3 of IFig. 2;' Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a transmission box; and Fig. 5 is a In the embodiment of my invention, I provide a line in which the devices of the several stations are arranged preferably in simple series for energization from common .means of current supply, the system which `with `a battery 11, grounded at both ends and involving at each of the several stations A, B, and C (whereof anynumber may be Y p`rovided)jcircuit-breaking signal-initiating means, and a line relay 12 having its coilA in series in the line. This series arrangement is useful, for example, in railway telephone service where it is intended to use one .wire only for signaling, but it will become apparent that some of the features of my invention are not concerned with the details of line-circuit arrangement,

A specific form of signal initiating mean which I deem desirable forthe best, embodiment of my invention will be later described,

lbut in its essence the signal initiator is .simply a line-breaking switch or plurality of switches, and my systeml may be operated by a simple telegraph key or the like.

The normally energized line-relay 12 constitutes the means of control of local devices and responds to the linebreaks effected by the signal initiating devices, the armature 13 of said relay 12, which stands normally against. its front contact 14, being connected, as is also the back contact 15, in a local operating circuit. T he local operating circuit has a local source of current supply 16 and comprises wire 17 connecting the positive terminal of the battery .16 with the armature 13, wire 18 connecting the back contact 15 with an operating magnet 19, wire 20 connecting the remaining terminal of said magnet with a cutout switch 21, and

-wire 22 connecting said switch with the remaining terminal of the battery 16.

The operating magnet 19 constitutes a convenient single electro-responsive instru mentality responsive, through relay 12, to the line signals for operating either of two selectors 25,25', which I williherea-fter term the tens and units select-ors respectively. and .which by Vtheir .collocation in predetermincd positions are instrumental in causing the response of the translating device, such as a bell, the operation of which completes a call.

Itwill be apparentthat while in some in. stances it is very desirable to relay operating actions from the line to the operating magnet 19, as by a line relay 12. These two devices, 12 and 1 9, operate in unison in effecting the transfer of signal Aimpulses from the line to the selector and, under ordinary signaling conditions, both operatein response to signaling conditions in the line,

the relay 12 directly and the magnet 19 indirectly, or through said relay. The operating magnet 19 will obviously perform its function however it be connected with the line .to operate in harmony with the signal impulses.

The selectors 25 and 25 comprise each a sector, 26, 26', toothed at its periphery 'for step by step operation against spring resistance and each having cooperating therewith a live or movingr pawl and a. dead or holding pawl. The live pawls are independent of each other and are identical in construction,

the structure for thesector 26 comprising an angular arm 27, ivoted as at 28, and extending to a positlon nearly centrally below the magnet 19, the remote end of the arm 27 bearing the spring pressed pawll 29 which may, when the inner end of the arm is den pressed, engage a`tooth of the sector and 'advance it one step. The holding pziwls for the two sectors are of different construction for coperative action. Thus the dead pawl i 30 for the tens selector is of such construction that it tends by gravity to fall away from the sector and is normally maintained in operating position by a spring 31 mounted on a laterally shiftable bar 32, guided at one vend as at 33, and at its opposite extremity .withdrawn from engagement vwith the said pawl 30, leaving the latter under gravity control subject to the frictional engagement which it may havcwith a tooth of the sector.

l The movements of the shiftable bar 32 are controlled in by both sectors, said bar having thereon a pin 34, arranged to be engaged by the sector 26, to maintain its position shown in Fig. 2 when the selector`25 is in its normal position, and the selector 26 being' provided with a pin 34 associated with the,end of the bar 32 to prevent its shifting toward the right, when the units Selector 25 is in normal position. Thus it will be apparent that the mechanical construction described issuch that if the tens selector 25 be actuated,- its holdingpawl 30 performs its function as the selector advarices step by step, but the pin 34 is freed by theimovement of the sector 26, the bar 32 being maintained against shifting by the pin 34 on the units selector.

The movements of both of the live pawls 27 and 27 are controlled by the armature 35 of the operating magnet 19, said armature having connected thereto 'for universal movement a bar 36 which accordingly as it is shifted to left or right, may engage pins on either of the arms 27 or 27. Thus it will be obvious that both selectors are opera tively dominated by the single magnet 19, and that by the lateral shifting of the bar 36, either selector alternatively may be potentiated' or conditioned for advancement or operation and the other disabled from operation. For controlling such alternative potentiation of the selectors, I provide an electrical controlling means comprising suitable electrical circuits and devices including a shifting mechanism 40 which provide two electro-magnets, 41, 41, which I will term respectively the tens controlling magnet and the units `controlling magnet, operating in conjunction with a common armature 4.2. which has an extension connected as at 43 with the shifting bar 36, so that when the armature stands attracted to tens magnet 41, the tens selector is conditioned for advancing operation, and when the armature shifts over to the units magnet 41 tion.

The automatic shifting means 4() has its two magnets involved in parallel branches of the controlling circuit energized by the battery 16, controlled in common by the cutout switch 21, and each branch having its operative `continuity subject to triple control, dependcnt first, upon the position of the armature 42 of the shifting device itself; second, upon tlie timing device or re. tard mechanism set in operation by the operating `magnet 19; and third, upon the position of the sectors of the two selectors. For attaining this triple control, I provide switches as follows: In conjunction with the armature 42 are arranged two switchesl 45 and '45?, each having 'a long lower leaf arranged to be raised into contact'with the upper leaf, the long lower leaves being disposed in conjunction with an insulatin block 46 upon the armature 42, so that the switches are alternatively closed, switch 45 being closed when the armature is attracted -bV magnet 41, and vice versa.- Switch 45 likewise has an auxiliarybottom spring 4,5x 010531316 With the elongated lower spring the unit-s selector is conditioned for operawhen the latter breaks connection with its upper contact. Companion switches t7 and ewitches 4T and t7 are opened.y the dash pot yielding readily in such dii'ection to permit the action to be free, but` operating to retard the automatic reclosing of the switches fora suitable length of time greater than the interval allotted between the trans Thus whenever' the mission of two signal impulses inthe ordiA l nary operation of the system. 4i has also a third contact 4T* which clones upon its other Contact when the switch is in normal closed position and makes no effecw tive. contact when the switch is open, such additional and supplemental Contact. being for the purpose later to be t'lescribed. The control by the sectors QG and Q6 is effected through the companion double throw switches 53 and 53, having an elongated central spring. and upper and lower contants. The elongated said springs of the two switches are normally pr 'nl upon by the insulating blocks 54 and t4 upon the re The switch i of any desired length of time to constitute a calling or ringing interval/` and then a single short interruption of the line. the selectors will be actuated as follows: ith each break in the line the arniatnre it) ot the line relay makes contact with its back contat-t point 15, completing the operating circuit 16, 17, 1S, 1'9, 20, 21, and QL. so encigizinav the operating' magnet it? upon each break in the line. lVith the tiret three operations of the armature 35, the bar lit/3 operates the live pawl arin 27 of the tens selector, advancing it three steps,the holding pa wl 30 holding the sector Q6 against return to norinal position. t will be observed. however. that with t te tirst step ot the tens selector Q5, the long' spring of the double throw switch :33 in the controlling;r

towed by a panse circuit released and mores into contact.

'with its upper point thercbv shifting the operative connections ot' the cmitrollingl circuit rt'roin the tens or left side thereof to the units t or right side thereof, as shown in Figi. lYith the first step ot' the tens selectin', therefore, the units branch of the controlling' circuit would` be closed except tor the retarding action of the dash pot 4t),

which retards for a period greater than the epcctive sectors 26 and 26 so that thejw are maintained normally in contact with their lower contact points, but will spring to their 1 l stepped forward by Chort rapidly succeeding' interruptions in the' line, but as soon as upper contacts when freed.

The controllingr circuit is as follows: from the, positive terminal of the battery 1G, hy wire 5G to the center leaf ot the switch 53'. 3 by parallel branches Si and 51T' respectively from the lower and upper contact;-` to the middle and lower contr-ttt@ of .switch 53; and b v parallel wire@ 52 and 5S' re spectirely from the upper and lower corr i tacts of switch 53. the first said branch including switches 47 and 45 and magnet r41; the remaining branch :S iii-Flirtline; switches 47 and 45 and magnet ttt; and said parillel branches unitingr and being' impuls-e intervals the return of both the switches 4T and 4T to normal or closed position after cach depression by the finger 50 connected to the bar trot the magnet 19. ccordingly. the actual closingV of the units or right ,side ot the controlling ciii'uit does not occur as longl as the teus selector is beingr the spacing pause occurs of a duration greater than the retardation etliect of the daslrpot it. both the'switchea 47 and 47 close and accordingly a-coinplete controlling circuit is' established from battery 16 as foltows: 56. 5%' (lower contact), 57, 53 tup per contact). 58. Y i", t5", all', 50. 21, and 253, thereby establishing' an energized controllingcircuit for the shiftingV magnet ll, which immediatelythrws over the armataie i2 shifting therewith the bai' 3G ot the connected by wire 5t) with the operating` I g lccor. and :it the saine time throwing4 oi'er circuit wire l0 at the cutout switch Qi.

The parts .so far described coi titute cour plete means for effecting the true selective action of the Celectore. whereby the selector.Q

spouse to a single impulse t'ollmvncr thel completion of the calling' operation. nus it will be apparent that assuming the mech anisin to stand in the positnin shown say the number 8S. consisting of three short interruptions in tht`- line. a spacing: pause.;

and three more intciruptione in the line, fol-w in Fig. 2, if the signal initiator be actuated to send l operating;l rnairnet 19 into position t'or cooperation with the live pawl of the units seA the tibet' bloot; 4G en the armature extension so that it opens the .switch 45 and closes switch 45, thu# breaking)r the units controllingr branch iinnndiately-betrn'c established and partially closingr the tens controlling branch. \"ow when the second ,Ljroup of line interiuptions constituting); the second numeral is transmitted. the operating eireuit is closed and opened .i.--'. before de- .Cci'ibed but the consequent movements of the. armature of the operatin magnet- 19 atleet, the units selector 25. vith the first advance niort-.ment ot the-uniti= selector. removing the pinit from the path of the WWMMMMMNMWMWW f shifting bar 32, the holding pawl of the units selector comes into operation but the spring for the holding pawl of the tens selector is disabled or rendered inoperative by removal from engagement with the pawl 30. The pawl 30 does not, however, drop out of connection with its sector because of its frictional engagement with a sector tooth but temporarily remains inert. `Also, the first movement of the sector 26 of the lunits selector 25 releases the long blade of switch 53 which immediately seeks its upper contact, breaking connection with its lower contact. This shifting of the switch 53 establishes a path through the left hand or tens side of the controlling circuit subject to the retarded action of the switch 47, which, as will be apparent, is retarded by the dash pot 49. Consequently, the several rapidly succeeding interruptions constituting the units digit, cause the units select-or to be stepped forward an equivalent number of steps but as soon as the ringing pause comes, the controlling circuit for the tens branch is closed from battery 16 by path 56, 53 (upper contact). 57', 58,47, 45 (now closed), 41, 59, 2l, and 22, causing the magnet. 41 to attract armature 42 and shift the shiftable bar 36 to initial position and opening the switch 45 while it again closes switch 45. Now when. after the ringing interval, the single break occurs in the line, the magnet 19 causes the tens selector 25 to be stepped forward another step, but it cannot be retainedin advanced position because with the commencement of the movement of the sector 26, the pawl 30 is released from frictional restraint and. is moved by gravity back against its spring 31 which. it Will be Iemembered, has been moved to the right by the advancement oit the units pawl 30. Consequently. as soon as the magnet 19 is deenergized following the releasing impulse, the sector 26 drops back to initial position, throwing switch 53 to original position, and pulling over the pawl bar 32, which drags the holding pawl 30 out of engagement with the sector 26 of the units selector, permitting the latter to drop back in turn to initial posltion and so restoring all of the beforementioned parts to the normal condition first described.

lt will be apparent that the devices described provide means for automatically shifting the ,mechanical connections of the operating magnet from one selector to another whenever, after precedent operation of' theV one selector a dwell occurs in the sigi naling operation such as transpires between the several impulse groups or parts of the signaling cycle.

The selectors above described are ot' course instrumentalitics for coperatively establishing an operating condition tor some translating device or devices, the operation 'and 26 carry contact springs 61, 61', re-

spectively, the former arranged for connection with contact 62, set at anyappropriate point, and the latter coacting with two contacts 62 and 62" appropriately spaced. In connection with the first mentioned contact 61, a small switch 63 may be arranged for closure only while the tens selector is on its first step, for purposes to be' described.

In the circuit diagram disclosed, connection is madefrom the supplementary contact 47X of the switch 47, by Wire 64 to two branches 65 and 65, respectively including the bells 66 and 66 and terminating in the contacts 62' and 62. The two selectors 26 and 26' are connected by a vconductor 67 (which may be the frame of the mechanism) and the contact 62 is connected, by wire 68, with wire 20 so that when the two selectors are properly collocated, a ringing circuit is-established from battery 16 by the path 56, 53 (upper contact), 57, 58, upper spring of switch 47, 47X, 64, 66', 65', and 6a (or 66, 65, 62), 61 G7, 61, ce, es, 20, 21, and 22. The provision of the two bells 66 and 66 is a refinement intended particularly for railroad signaling to enable the provision of one bell which as a rule may he used only by -the train despatcher or other high otiicial, and also to provide against failure of a call through a defect in the bell ordinarily used. Further to provide means for specially attracting the attention to the connected by wire 70, including the small switch 63, between the wires 64 and 68, for operationv as hereinafter described.

The particular connection of the bells as described has the advantage that no bell will ring as the selector skips past the ringing contact in seeking a station of higher number, because the ringing circuit above described depends for its establishment upon the making of connection between the upper blade of switch 47 and the supplemental contact 47X, and such connection is broken at cach operation of the operating magnet 1t) and restablishmentis retarded by the dash pot 49.

The parts described constitute a complete and operative system, in which a plurality of selectors, intended for collocation to secure the response of a local translating device or alarm, are automatically responsive to like but separate signals initiated in the line. with which the local devices have connection only through the agency of a single rela) and in which the shifting device controlling the potentiation of the separate selectors for operation are subject to control "mechanismg and by the shifting mechanism by the selectors; by timing or retarding itself. As a part of'the system, however, I7 prefer to employ meansfor preventing the wasting of the local battery mthe 'eventzof a continued break in the mainline, and

means which will restore the selective parts to normal position after a predetermined length of time following a partial operation thereof; so that following the breaking and repair of aline or the grounding of a line between its ends, the selectors may all be in l proper position, and so thatthe selectors may certainly be prevented from remaining 1g-out of step in the event that they should once- -by the armature 13 of the line relay, said re storing magnet 'n turn cont-rolling the-cutout switch 21.- The governor magnet 72 has one terminal connected b wlre 731t0 the operating circuit'wire 20 o the cutout switch 2l, the other terminal being connected by;

wire 74 to a switch 7 5which has in turna connection 7 6 to wire 56, the switchi75 `arranged in conjunction with the armature '19 is energized, a circuit magnet 72 is established from the battery storing v evices just described is as follows: Assume that there is -a break in the line 10,

35 of the operating magnet' 19 to beclosed whenever the operating magnet is'energizetl. The wire 74 has also a connection 77 "tothe lower supplemental spring 45* of the 45. Thus, whenever the o rating-magnet or the governor through a.- path as follows: 5,6, 76, 75, 74', 72, 73, 21, and 22; and atanv stage of the operation of the system, when theA tens selector has operated and the units selector has not yet commenced to operate, afeircuit for the governor magnet is established from battery. 16 through the following path: 56, 53 (lower Contact), 57, 53 (upper contact), 58', -1-7, elongated blade of switch 45,contact 45", 7T, 74, 72, 73, 21 and 22. Accordingly, upon the closure of either circuit described, the governor 'I2 is energized and pulls upon its armature 72. which works, in responding to Such attraction, against the dash pot 78,

theem 79 of which when raised operates in tandem relation in point of time the switches 80 and 85. The former switch 80 has one of ilsblades connected by wire 81 to wire 56, its other blade being connected by wire 82 through the windings of :i sniall magnet 83' with the wire 20,.'sc that whenever the switch tis'fclosed, a, circuit for-th`e magnet 83' is established from the battery 16 by the path 56, 81, 8o, e2, s3', 20, 21, and 22. The magnet 83' has its armature 84 arranged when attracted positively to throw the holding pawl -30 for the tens Aselector 25 out of engagement with its sector 26, so that the-ener glzat-ion of the circuit described produces a. mechanical Vrelease of-the tens selector from domination o'f its holding pawl. The remaining switch 85 has connection by wire 86 with the front contact- 14 of the line relay 1,2., and its other blade has connection by wire '87 with the restoration magnet 88, the remainlng terminal of which is connected by wire 89 with the wire 22, so that such restoration magnet- 88 receives current when the line relay is energized and the switch 85 closed by the path from the battery 16 as .follows: 1'? 13, 14, 86, 85, 87, 88,89, and 22.

held in attracted position mechanically by connected to t e extremity of 'the extension the dash pot penv 79. The Varmature 89 is also provided with a-fng'er 92 which normally holds clo'sed thecutout switch 21, but whenthe armature is. released by its latch .and- Idrops .back to unattractedv position, it

,tflefapparatus isso arranged that ifsjvitohes 80 Vand 185. for a yery considerable 'time from azsignallng stand o int,'s'uch say the armature'fjfroni-latched position until uponthe'arinafture'f-moves into the notch 'of-Itho Iat'hSQ .aritLlatches' the dash pot .1n raised orp'swltch closingposition, at the same time that 1topens the line switch, provided the magnet 88 is no t energized,

The vo eration o f4 ereleasing and redener izing for a considerable time the line re ay 12. Instantly ofthe contacts 13-and 15 o the line` rela `the operating. magnet 19 responds .to advance the'tens se ector one step, then remains energized. As long as the armature 35 of the operating magnet is attracted; closing the switch 7 5, the governor magnet receives current by path 56, 76, 75, 74, 72, 73, 21, and 22, and after the lapse of the ,predetermined tim'e. defined by the dash pot, the two switches 80 and 85 will be suocessively closed. This closure of switch 80 21, and 22 of the magnet 83', butthis energization'of the relay 83 is ineffectual, for, although the holding pawlis momentarilI moved away from its ratchet, the live paw arm of the armature 72 which\is connected ash ipot .retards fthe closure of the [it has closed' thefwitches? Then thepin 89f'A Normally the armature 89 for magnet 88 is a latch bar 9 0 -ivoted as at 91 and pivotally opens: the cutoiit switch.4 In timin'gffactor,

'of five orten seconds, butj oesnot release u on-the closure' completes the circuit 16, 56, 81, 80,- 83, 20,A

the latter to pass into the notch 90 to latch the switches in closed position Pwhile the finger 92 opens the line switch 21. This opening of the-line switch denergizes magnets 19 and 83 alike, and does not in practice release the sector 26, because the active spring 31 throws the holding pawl 30 back into engagement with the 4sector before the sector can drop. It will be remembered, however, thatswitch 80 is locked closed.

Later, when the line is repaired, and the relay 12 isdenergized, throwingthe arma-l ture 13 against the contact 14 and completing the circuit' 16, 17, 14, 86, 85, 87, 88, 89, for the cutout controlling magnet 88, said magnet instantlyresponds to close the cut` out switch 21 and release the latch arm 90, so that the dash pot plunger may drop back to normal osition.- Before the switch 80 is opened, owever, current flows through the restablished 'circuit for the releasing magnet 83 and causes it again to throw outof operative arrangement the holdingpawl 30, this time dropping the selector back to initial position, because the magnet 19 rel mains denergized and the live pawl stays in normal position. In the event a partial signal only is sent, say the first group of numbers, advancing the tens selector but otherwise leaving the parts in normal oo ndition with the local operating circuit open, the system is automatically restored to nor mal after a time determined by the-dash pot 7 8, in the following manner: The operation of the tens selector followed'by ashort pause causes the controlling mechanism to shift to potentiate the units selector, as has been heretofore described, and in so doing the elongated blade of switch 45' falls into contafit with point 45". 'This establishes a circuit for the governor magnet 72 as follows: 16, 56,".53 (lower Contact), 57, ,53 (upper contact), 58', 47'-, elongated bladeof switch 45', contact 45", 77, 74, 72, 73, 21 and 22, so that after the predetermined time of retardation of dash pot 78, the -,switches and are closed as before described. The switch 80 closes first and consequently the magnet 83 is energized and pushes the holding p'awl 30 out of engagement with the sector 26, permitting said sector 26 to dro to initial osition, so establishing the circuit. through e left hand or tens branch of the` controlling circuit and causing the shiftingv mechanism to shift -back to normal position and opening the circuit for the governor magnet72 at the contact 45", so that immediately afterward, when the switch 85 closes 'ranged to be depresse "any position permittedby the cooperation' and the magnet 88 receives current (armature 13 being forward against contact 14) the momentarily opened cutout switch is closed again, the dash pot 78 allowed to rea turnvto normal position and the whole system restored to normal. I have found that in this way the selectors are prevented from ever getting out of step m the sense of getting into such inharmonious relation that the units selector responds to a tens number, and Yso on; yet the time limit of the dash pot 78 has vno effect on. ordinary ringing operations, for as soon as the units selector is stepped forward both of the alternative circuits for vovernor magnet 72 are broken, the one at t e lower cor-tact of switch 58l andthe other at switch 75, thereby disabling said governor magnet. Where the self re4 'storing ldevices-described are not employed, however, no selector apparatus can cont-inue out of step for more than two complete signal cycles, in any event.

While, as I haveherein indicated, the s stem may be workedV through any`manu a ly operable circuit closing device, such as the telegraph key, I preferably use at each station a motor-driven transmitting box whichmay be set for the sending of any desired'number signal. Tot-his end, I

preferably employ a motor-driven transmitter adapted to be manually wound for a Ysingle round, comprising two coincidently driven disks '96 and 96 bearing rotarilyadjustable toothed sectors 97 and 97 respectively, movable for predetermined cooperation with line breaking switches 98 and 98', and one of the disks bearing a per? marient tooth 97" for coperation with one such switch. A suitable arrangement of one of the sectors on its disk is shown in Fig.

5 the-sector 97 being normally removed vertlcally from the disk b spring 99 but arupon the disk in of the in 100 upon the sector with holes 101 in t e disk, and latched in depressed or operative position by a latch mechanism 102, which is arranged to be released by a trip 103 at any desired oint in `the rotation of the disk. The mec anisms for both disks may be similar, but the relative arrange; ment of the sectors and Vline opening switches is such that the sector of the tens disk 96 may beset with any desired num-v ber of'teeth back of the switch 98, by their passage to transmit the tens number; while the sector 97 for the units disk 96', maybe set subsequently to occasion any number of its teeth to pass a switch before the releasing mechanism operates to permit the sector to be spring-pressed in inoperative position. Then, after a pause, the single tooth 97" will cause the restoring break to occur. As a refinement, further` the traindespatcher or other party whose call should receive special Ies lhis call vvill take precedence .over the business of any other party on the line, he depressesthe manual key 1.05'before he starts to set his transmitter to send the number required. The opening of the line results .in the stepping up of the tens selector one step throughout the line and thereby closing at each stat-ion the circuit of the small bell or buzzer 69 which rings during the interval of time until the automat-ic res-V toration mechanism operates as has been heretofore described to throw the apparatus backA to normal position, sa five seconds. Then when the operator, having set his box, pulls the winding handle to potentiate the box -for operation, the manual switch 105 is tripped a'nd allowed to return to closed position and the line is ready for ordinary signaling.

' While I- have herein described in some detail -a specific embodiment of my`invention, it will be apparentto those skilled in the art that many changes might be made in the particular embodiment without de-A parture from the spirit and scope of my invention.

WhatI claim is:

1. In a signaling systemthe combination with a line provided with means of current .supply and signal initiating means, of station apparatus comprising meansres onsive to the line cr-ndition, a pluralit-y `o selectors adapted for successive operation, means for potentiating said devices successively for operation in response to the line responsive means, and translating means responsive to predetermined collocation of.

the selectors. 2. In a selective signaling system, the combinationv with a line provided lwith means of current supply and signal-initiating means, of a station apparatus comprising means responsive to theline conditions; a plurality of selectors, one normally in coperative relation with said line-responsive means for operation in response thereto; means controlled by each selector for potentiating the succeeding selector for such response to the line responsive means, and a translating device responsive to predetermined collocation of the selectors.

3. In a selective signaling system the combination with the line provided with means ot current supply and signal initiators,oif a, station apparatus `comprising means rcsp'onsire to thline conditions,` a plurality1 of selectors for control thereby, means controlled by one of said selectors for potentiating another for operation, means retardl ing the operation of the last said means, and a translating j device responsive to predetermined collocation of the selectors.'

4. In'a signalingksystem, the combination 'with theline, means of current Supply, and signal initiators therein, of station appara;

tus comprising means responsiye to the line' condition,.a plurality of selective devices for loperation thereby, means .controlled by each` selector for potentiatinga the next selector tovoperate, means'for rctarding the operation of the last said means, and translating devices responsive to predetermined collocation of the selectors 5. Ina selective vsignaling system, the combination with v`a line provided with means of current supply and signal` initiating devices, of a single line relay, a plurality of selectors for operation in response thereto, means controlled by each selector for operatively associating the next succeeding selector with said relay for response. to said relay, means for retarding the operation of the l'ast said means for each selector,

and a translating device operable in re-` sponse to selectors.

' 6. In a selective signaling system, the combination with a line provided with means of current supply and signal initiating devices, of a station apparatus comprising a. plurality of selectors, translating means responsive to predetermined collocation of the selectors, means associated with the line for operating any potentiated selector, means for holding the selectorsin operated positions, and means for successively potentiating said selectors -for operation and subsequent release in response to a series of signals initiated in the line.

7. In a selective signaling system, a line provided with means of current supply and signal initiators, and station apparatus comprising a relay in the line, a local operating circuit with connections controlled by said relay, a plurality of selectors` operating means "therefor in said operating circuit, means `for holding them in perated positions, and local-circuit controlling means for potentiating said selectors successively for -operation and subsequently for release iu response to movements of said operating means.

8. In a selective signaling system, tue combination of a liuc: menus of curi-flut supply therefor; and al each station signa-l initiating means; a liuc relay; local selective apparatus comprising a plurality of selectors, electro-i'e-pons-ivc operating means predetermined collocation of the4 Itherefor, and a local operating cirbuit conl local controlling circuit connections for the controlling means of each selector, controlled by the selector to be precedently potentiated; and translating devices arranged to respond to predetermined collocation of the selectors.

9. In a selective signaling system, a line circuit, means of current supply therefor,

nately retarding the potentiation of each selector.

10. In a ,selective signaling system, the' combination of a line, means of current supply therefor, signal initiating means, and at each station means responsive to the condition'of the line, a plurality of selectors, electro-responsive operating means for said selectors, circuit connections therefor controlled b v the line responsive means, a shiftable part arranged for movement successively to potentiate the selectors for 'operation in responseto their operatin means, and means for moving said shiftab e means controlled as to its action to potentiate each selector by the condition of the precedentlyoperable selector.

1l. In a selective signaling system, the combination of a-line circuit, a sour'ce of current supply therefor and signal initiating means at each station, and means responsive to the condition of the line, a local operating andrelcasin, r circuit at said station controlled hy the line responsive means, common .selector ,operating4 and releasing meanscontrolled by said local operating circuit, selectors to be successively operated, mea ns for holding said selectorsin operated positions, and means for automatically placing saidselectors'successively in coperative relation with said operating means for suecessive operation and subsequent release in response to movements Aof their common operating means.

llln a selective signalingr system, the combination of a line, means of current supply therefor, and at each station signal initiating means and means responsive to the condition of thc line.I a local operating circuitcontrolled by said line responsive means, selector-operating means in said operating circuit, a plurality of selectors, Ameans for successively. placing each selector in coperative relation with saidioperating means forv operation in response to movements of the operating' means including for each selector a controlling circuit; means for establishing said controlling circuits in predetermined sequence; and means for timing with reference to the operating means the establishment of any said controlling means.

v13. In a selective signaling system, the combination of a line, means of current supply therefor, and at each station signal initiating devices and means responsive to the condition of the line; a local operating circuit'V controlled by saidline responsive means, selector operating means in said op- 4 erating circuit; two selectors, adapted for successive operation, means for holding said selectors in operated positions, translating means y responsive to predetermined collocation `of vthe selectors; means controlled by the primary selector for potentiating the secondary selector; means controlled. by the secondary selector for potentiatng the primary selector for further operation, and means whereby further operation of the primary selector-releases both selectors.

14. In a selective signaling system, the

combination of a line, means of current supply therefor, and at each station signal initiating devices, and means responsive-to the condition of the line; a local operating circuit controlled by, said line responsive means; selector operatingmeans in said operating circuit; two selectors adapted for successive operation, translating means-responsive to predetermined collocation" of the selectors, means controlled bythe *prif mary selector for .potentiating the secondary selector, means'controlled bythe secondary selector for potentiatin the primary selector for further operation; and mechanical connection between the selectors whereby the operation of the secondary selector conditions both selectors for restoration to normal position upon the subsequent'- operation of` the primary selector.

15. In a selective signaling system, a line, means of current supply therefor; and at each station a signal initiator; means responsive to the condition of the line; a local operating circuit controlled by said-line re-` sponsive means, selector operating means in said operating circuit; a plurality of selectors adapted for successive operation; electroresponsive controlling means for each selector for potentiat-ing the same for operation; controlling circuits for said control-- ling responsive means; switches in each of said controllingcircuits, one controlled by the precedently-operable selector, and another controllcd by the movements of the selector-operating means, and means for timing the operations of the switches last mentioned.

vmeans of current supply t vices successively for operation in response vin response to their operating means, and

cessively in cooperative relation with said selectors for successive operation thereof, and for restoring said selectors to initial position upon completion of a signaling cycle.

QlZIn'a signaling system, a line, a signa initiator, a plurality of selectors, means responsivei toline signals for operatingl said selectors, means for automatically placing the line-signal-responsive means successively 16. In a selective signalin system, a line, erefor, and at each station signal initiating means, and

means responsive to the line condition; a local operating circuit` controlled by said line responsive means; selector operating means in said operating circuit; two selectors adapted for successive operation, translating means responsive to predetermined collocation of said selectors, means Whereby the successive operations of the primary and secondary selectors condition them for mutual restoration to normal condition upon a subsequent further operation of the line responsive means, means controlled by the primary selector for potentiating the secondary selector and disabling itself, and means controlled by the secondary selector for again potentiating the primary selector.

17. In a selective signaling system, a line, means of current supply therefor, signal initiating means, and means responsive lo the line conditions,v a plurality of selective devices, means for potentiating said defor successive operation thereof, the vlast said means including a shiftable pawl oper- 22.' In a signaling system, a. line, a signal initiator, station apparatus comprising a plurality of'selectors, translating means rcsponsive to` predetermined collocation of said selectors, an operating magnet arrange connection-means between said magnet an the several selectors, and means for affecting said connection-meahs to place the operating magnet successivelye iirycoperative relation with said 'selectors fdisiiccessive operation thereof. 23. In a signaling system, a line, an operating magnet arranged for. response to signais in the line, a plurality of selectors, shiftable mechanismy for connecting any selector to the line responsive means, translating devices responsive to predetermined collocation of the selectors, and means timed in' operation for restoring the selectors in normal position after the operation thereof.

18. In a selective signaling system, a line, means of current supply therefor, signal initiating means, and at a station means re'- sponsive to the line conditions, a plurality of selectors,'operating means for said.selec tors, a local operatingcircuit containing said operating means and controlled by the line responsive means, means for potentiating said devices successively for operation shifting said mechanism to bring said selectors in succession into operative connection with the operating magnet.

signal cycle such as a plurality of numberA groups anda releasing impulse, a station apparatus comprising a plurality of selecdetermind collocation of said. selectors, a common selector-operating magnet responsive to line signals, means, timed forUoper-ation inA harmony with the number groups o a signal cycle, for successively placingtlie nca-ns for opening said operating circuit. after a continuous closure thereof for a predetermined time. i

l). ln`a signaling system, a line?A means responsive to signals in the line, a plurality ol' selectors. translating nicans responsive to l'iiei'lcterinined collocation of said selectors, and means for automatically placing the first named means successively in coperat'ii'e relation with the said selectors for suecossive operation thcreof.

Q0. ln a signaling system, a, line, a signal initiator therein, a plurality of selectors. translating-means responsive to predetermined collocation of said selectors, means responsive to line signals for operating said selectors, and inea-ns for automatically placing' the line-signal-responsive means 'sucs'ignal-responsive operating magnet for operation thereby, vvhereby each selector responds toits appropriate number grouppan means for restoring to normal position-,the selectors, responsive to'. the releasing impulse.

Y In ltestimony whereof I hereunto set Vmy hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

. l JUDSON MCFELL. In the presence of- -W. LiNN ALLEN, MARY F. ALLEN.

in cooperative relation with saidv selectorsl ating mechanism shifted during intervals between the impulse groups of a signal cycle.

for response to signals in the line, operable l to the operating magnet, and means for Q4. In a signaling system, a line, a signal initiator in the line operable to transmit a tors, a translating device responsive to '.pre-

selectors in cooperative relationy with the 

